Reclining chair



Jan. 19, 1965 Filed Jan. 24, 1963 F. M. RE 3,166,352

RECLINING CHAIR e Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

ATTORNEY.

F. M. RE

RECLINING CHAIR Jan. 19, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 24, 1963 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1965 F. M. RE 3,166,352

RECLINING CHAIR Filed Jan. 24, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

BY Q wwd% ATTORNEY.

F. M. RE

RECLINING CHAIR Jan. 19, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 24, 1 963 ZNVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

BY m 7 J ATTORNEY.

1 9, 19.65 F. M. RE

mcumms '6 sheetrs sheet 5 Filed Jan. 24, 1965 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

ATTORNEY.

F. M. kCHAI-R Jan. '19, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed 24, L965 INVENTOR.

F RAN K M. RE

wad

ATTORNEY.

3,166,352 RECLINING CI-LUR Frank M. Re, Holyoke, Mass, assignor to Dual Manufacturing and Engineering, Incorporated, Holyoke,

Filed Jan. 24, 1963, Ser. No."253,610

4 Claims. (Cl. 297-75) The present invention relates to reclining chairsand particularly to a reclining chair having a novel mult-i-part, fold-away leg rest. I

It is a chief object of the present invention to provide an improved reclining chair having a multi-part, foldaway leg supporting unit including a main leg rest portion and an auxiliary leg rest portion, which portions may be moved unitarily between a stored non-operative position and an extended operative position forwardly thereof when the seat and back-rest are tilted, and with the auxiliary-leg rest portion being disposed'under the seat and rearwardly of the main leg rest portion in said stored non-operative position wherefore it is hidden from view during assumption of the normal upright position-of the chair and positionable in axial alignmentwith the main leg rest portion when the chair is moved to one of a plurality of semi-reclined or fully reclined positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a'reclining chair incorporating a leg rest control linkage adapted to effect a generallyrectilinear movement of the multi-part, fold-away leg supporting unit relative to the front 'to rear axis of the chair, while the auxiliary leg-rest portion thereof describes. a generally arcuate path in moving from: its stored position to'its operative position where it is disposed in axial alignment with a main leg rest portion thereof, at any one of a multiplicity of reclined positions of the chair. 3

These foregoing objects and other incidentalends and advantages will in 'part be obvious and apparent and will in partbe more fully pointed out as the nature of the invention is better understoodin the-progress of thedisclosure below. To the end" of attaining these objects and advantages and others hereinafter reasonably appearing, it will be explained that the invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, configuration, locainvention only in certain'of its aspects, certain of the objects may be attained individually or in sub-groups without necessarily attaining all of the objects. That is, while the advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined, useful embodiments maybe produced involving less than the Whole.

The characteristic features which I consider tobe novel with my invention, as to its construction and organization and as to its methods of-manufacture and operation, will be better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description forming a part of this specification, when read in conjunction with the illustrations in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are employed to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a w'ew in vertical section of a reclining chair incorporating an embodiment of the invention, the chair being shown in upright position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the chair of FIG. 1 in intermediate reclining position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the chair of FIG. '1 in semi-reclining position with the multi-part leg rest extended;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the chair of FIG. 1 in a further reclining position with the multi-part leg rest unit extended; p

FIG. 5 is a view showing the chair of FIG; 1 in a reclining position with the multi-part leg rest unit retracted;

and

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified form of the reclining chair mechanism of the invention. 1

Referring now to the drawings, I have shown a reclining chair comprising a stationary supporting framework 10 and a unitary seat and back rest structure which includes a seat 12 and a back rest 14 unitary therewith wherefore the seat'and back rest are rigidly connected together and move as a unit.

The mechanism now to be described is one of a pair located at each side of the chair between the stationary framework 10 and the unitary seat and back rest structure and is fixed to a horizontally-extending chairbrace 16. Herefollowing, one such mechanism is shown and described.

A substantially horizontally-extending first bracket 18 is rigidly fixed to the stationary brace 16 as by screws 20 and 21 and extends lengthwise or in the direction of the front-rear dimension of the chair. extend outwardly from the bracket 18 so as to function as a stop in manner as will hereinafter appear.

A second bracket 22 is rigidly secured to the lower edge of seat 12 as by screws 24 or the like. A stop 25 extends outwardly from the bracket 22 adjacent the forward end thereof and serves to limit the movement of the leg rest unit as will subsequently appear.

The seat-back structure is pivotally supported for move ment about the stationary framework 10 by means of a primary seat pivot link 26 which is pivotally attached at 28, at its upper end, to the second bracket 22, and thus to the seat-back structure, and which is pivotally connected at 29, at its opposite or lower end to the first bracket 18 on the stationary chair brace.

The seat-back structure is also pivotally supported for movement about the stationary framework 10 by means of a secondary seat pivot link 40 subsequently to be described. r

A multi-part, fold-away leg rest unit, generally indicated by 30, is positioned at the forward end of the chair and comprises a main leg rest portion 32 and an auxiliary leg rest portion 34pivoted thereto adjacent its lower end. The leg rest unit 30 is mounted by a control linkage, subsequently to be described, on the forward end of the seat 12 for movement between a retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, to one of a plurality of extended positions, as shown in FIGS. 2-4.

In a fully upright position'of the chair, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the main leg rest portion 32 is disposed flushwith and below the plane of the forward end of the seat, while the auxiliary'leg rest portion 34 extends rearwardly' from 3 the lower end of the main leg rest portion and is hidden from view beneath the seat. As the main leg rest portion 32 is elevated and advanced, the auxiliary leg rest portion 34 is movedaccordingly therewith until, when the main leg rest portion is in its fully elevated and advanced position, the auxiliary leg restportion is motivated to a position forwardly thereof and in axial alignment therewith.

The leg rest unit 30 is suspended from the seat '12 by means of a linkage system which includes the secondary seat pivot link 40, same alsofunctioning as a primary propeller link, a secondary propeller link 42, and primary Patented Jan. 19, 1965 The screw 21 will and secondary elevator links 44 and 46, respectively, linked V thereto. a i V The secondary seat pivot link 40 is pivoted at its upper end to the seat12 at 48 and is pivoted at 50 at its opposite or. lower end to thelower end of primary elevator link 44.

Secondary propeller link 42'is pivoted at itsjupper end at 52 to the seat 12, .at its approximate midsection ,at 54 to the midsection. of, primary elevator link 44, and at its lower end at 56 to the lower end of secondary elevator link 46.

' Secondaryelevator link 46 is pivoted at 58 at itsopposite or forward end to a main leg rest link eilwhich forms a support for the main leg rest portion 32, and is pivoted at62 at its approximatemidsection to the mids'ection ofa first connecting link 74.

First connecting link 74' is pivoted at 76 at its upper end to the'upper end of primary elevator link 44 and is pivoted at 78- at its opposite or lower end to the lower end of a second connecting link 80.

Second connecting link 80 is pivoted at 82 at its forward end to an auxiliary leg rest link 84 which forms a support pivot link 40 which is pivoted at 102 to a forward portion of said base link 1041- Said base link 1610 rotates about pivot at 104 by means of which base link 100 is pivoted, at its rearward portion, to first bracket 18.

The lower longitudinal edge of the base link 1% is provided adjacent its rearward end with a recessed portion to provide a stop 106, for purposes as will appear. The said lower longitudinal edge of base link 100 is also adapted to abut the stop21 on bracket 18.10 preclude downward movement of base link 100 beyond the desired limits prescribed by the upright position of the chair.

A friction link 110 is disposed upon the base link 100 and isfixed at its upper end at 104 to said base link 1% and to the bracket 18, and is fixed at its lower end tosaid bracket 18 ina frictional relationship in manner now to be described. I

A bolt 114 passes laterally through the bracket 18 and;

the lower end of the friction link 110 and has a wing nut 1'16 threaded thereon which may be tightened against the planar face of the friction link 119 in manner to increase the frictional engagement between base link 100 and. bracket 18. t Y i I Conversely, by loosening thewing nut 116, the frictional engagement between base link 100 and bracket- 18 isdecreased, same being a desirable feature whereby persons of lighter weight may adjust the device for easier,

. chair operation, as will appear.

In effect, the wing nut 115, in combinationwith the friction link 110 may be described'as being an adjustable braking device whereby the force or weight required to move the seat and back to one of a plurality of reclining positions may be varied in accordance with the desires orrequirements of the chair occupant.

FIG 1 of the drawings illustrates the relative positions I of the components of the linkage when the chair is fully upright.

' It will be observed that when the chair components are in this position, the leg rest unit 30 is retracted, with the main leg rest portion 32 being positioned flush with the forward end of the chair seat 12, and with theauirilifiy leg rest portion 34 being disposed rearwardly thereof be.- neaththe seat. In this position of the chair, the base link 100 is in a generally horizontal position and abutting the stop 21, and the frictional adjustment means 114 and 116 is positioned at the forward end of an arcuate surface 118 provided adjacent the stop 106 at the rearward end of the lower longitudinal edge of said base link 1430.

To reach the intermediate reclining position of FIG; 2, from the upright position of FIG. 1, the chair occupant may bring rearward pressure to bear upon the back rest 14, causing the rigid seat-back structure to become angularized relative to the stationary bracket 18 and chair brace 16 by pivotal counterclockwise movement of the primary seat pivot link 26 upon the pivot points 28 and 29, and by a similar pivotal movement of the secondary seat pivot link upon the pivot points 48 and 102.

By such pivotal mounting of the unitary seat and back relative to the bracket 18" by'the primary and secondary seat pivotlinks 26 and 449, respectively, the body-supporting unit is movable from the upright or sitting position of FIG. 1 to any one of the positions of FIGS. 2-3, or to any position therebetween.

In the course of movement from an upright position to a reclining position with the leg rest unit extended, the primary and secondary seat pivot links, 26 and 40 respectively, and the secondary propeller link 42 pivot in a counter-clockwise direction as the seat 12 is moved. As the secondary seat pivot link 40 rotates, it urges primary elevator link 44 forwardly and upwardly and this, in turn,

7 simultaneously urges secondary propeller link 42 forwardly and upwardly so as to cause a similar movement of secondary elevator link 46 whereby the main leg rest portion 32 approaches a generally horizontal position.

Similarly, as primary and secondary elevator links, 44 and 46 respectively, rotate, they cause first and second connecting links 74 and 80, respectively, to move forwardly and downwardly urging the auxiliary leg rest link 84 to pivot at 86 relative to the main leg rest link 60.

A smooth swinging movement of the auxiliary leg rest link 84 is ensured'by the control link 90 which acts to constrain the forward movement of second connecting link 80 and to bring the auxiliary leg rest link 34 into axial alignment with the main leg rest link 60 wherefore the main leg rest portion 32 and auxiliary leg rest portion 34 are also placed in axial alignment to form a unit when the. chair is ina semi-reclining position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or a fully reclining position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be observed that, during the sequence of movements just described, the base link has not changed its generally horizontal position relative to the first bracket 18 and continues to rest on the stop 21, and that the occupant has stopped the chair in an intermediate reclining position, with the leg rest unit being only partially extended.

To reach a semi-reclining position, as shown in FIG. 3, from the intermediate reclining position of FIG. 2, additional weight may be brought to bear upon the back rest 14 whereupon the unitary seat back structure is furtherangularized relative to the chair brace 16, While the leg rest unit 30 is fully extended, with the main leg rest por-- tion 32 and auxiliary leg rest portion 34 now being axiallyaligned. The forward edge of secondary propeller link 42 nowabuts stop 25 on second bracket 22 wherefore further extension of the leg rest unit is precluded.

To reach the fully reclining position of FIG. 4 from thesemi-reclining position shown in FIG. 3, the chair occupant may once again bring additional rearward pressure to bear upon thechair back, whereupon the forward end of the base link 1&0 is urged upwardly by the secondary seat pivot link 40 through the pivotal connection 102 causing the base link ltltlto pivot at its rearward end on the point 104. During this movement, the secondary propeller link 42 continues to abut the stop '25, precluding any further extension of the leg rest unit 30. I

As the base link 100 pivots in a counter-clockwise direction, the arcuatesurface 118 thereof is caused to ride upwardly relative to the bolt 114. When the rearward stop 1% of the base link 100 engages the bolt 114, further angularization of the chair back is precluded and the chair components have assumed a fully reclining position, as shown in FIG. 4.

The occupant may return the chair from this' fully reclining position to the semi-reclining position of FIG. 3 by exerting a slight downward pressure upon the seat 12, causing the arcuate surface 118 of the base link 100 to ride downwardly relative to the bolt 114 until said base link 100 contacts the stop 21, while the leg rest unit 30 is maintained in a substantially extended position, or hejmay return directly to the fully upright position of FIG; 1 by exerting a slight downward pressure of the heels upon the leg rest unit'30 as he continues to exert a downward pressure upon the seat 12, or he may move from the fully reclining position of FIG. 4 to the reclining position of FIG. 5 by exerting only a slight pressure of the heels upon the leg rest unit 30, whereby said leg rest unit is retracted while the unitary seat and back rest structure remains in a substantially fully reclining position.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the linkage components are. identical in all respects to those of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 15, with the exception that the leg rest end of the system has been modified.

In this embodiment, a multi-part, fold-away leg rest unit 230 is comprised of a main leg rest portion 232 mounted upon a main leg rest link 260 and an auxiliary leg rest portion 234 mounted upon an auxiliary leg rest link 284, with the auxiliary leg rest link 284 being pivotally joined to an extension 261 of the main leg rest 260 as A stop 263 is provided on the extension 261 of the main leg rest link 260 and is so positioned as to be engaged by the auxiliary leg rest link 284 to limit the range of movement thereof, wherefore said axuiliary leg rest link 284 will not swing past its proper position of axial alignment with the main leg rest link 260 when the leg rest unit 230 is extended.

A first connecting link 274 is pivoted at 278 at its lower end to the lower end of a second connecting link 280 which is, in turn, pivoted at 285 at its upper end to the main leg rest link 260.

As in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the first connecting link 274 is pivoted at 62 to the midsection of secondary elevator link 46 and at 76 to the primary elevator link 44. The secondary elevator link 46 is pivoted at 258 to the main leg rest link 260 also in manner similar to the preferred embodiment.

A control link 290 is pivoted at one end at 300 to the secondary elevator link 46 and is pivoted at its opposite end at 302 to auxiliary leg rest link 284.

Thus, in the modified form, the second connecting link 280 is pivoted to the main leg rest link 260 rather than to the auxiliary leg rest link 284, and the control link 290 extends between the second-ary elevator link 46 and the auxiliary leg rest link 284, rather than between the second connecting link 280 and the main leg rest link 260, as in the preferred embodiment.

In this modified form of the invention, the secondary elevator link 46 and second connecting link 280 move the main leg rest portion 232 forwardly and outwardly, while the control link 290 acts directly upon the auxiliary leg rest link 284 to bring the auxiliary leg rest portion 234 into axial alignment with the main leg rest portion 232 in the several reclining positions of the chair.

It should be here noted that by use of such a system, an existing reclining chair linkage having the usual one piece leg rest may be easily modified to incorporate a foldaway auxiliary leg rest, it not being necessary to disturb the existing linkage in any way.

In both the preferred form of the invention as shown in FIGS. l-S, and the modified form of FIG. 6, the control link serves the function of imparting a rotative movement to the auxiliary leg rest portion to bring it into leg supporting position, and to maintain it in that position as desired when the other chair components are moved.

The control link also returns the auxiliary leg rest por- 6 tion to its normal position rearwardly of the main leg rest portion when the chair is moved from a reclining position to a fully upright position, or when the chair is moved to a substantially fully reclining position with the leg rest unit retracted, as shown in FIG. 5.

In essence, by reason of the novel linkage system hereof, the auxiliary leg rest portion may be said to describe an arc in its movements relative to the main leg rest portion, while the other links of the system are describing a generally rectilinear path.

It is believed that the gist of the invention will be clearly understood from the'foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further analysis thereof at this point is considered unnecessary, as I have, in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, described the construction and principle of operation of myinvention together with the apparatus which I believe to represent the best embodiments thereof, to the end that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of its generic and/ or specific aspects. The substitution of equivalents and other changes, modifications. and alterations as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, are reasonably contemplated, the invention being susceptible of such without departing from its real spirit or underlying principles. 5

The protection which is sought for this invention is covered by the language of the above specification and the spirit represented thereby.

The claims are desired to include within the scope thereof all of said suitable variations, modifications and equivalents by which substantially the results of the invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent devices or means. Accordingly, limitation hereof should only be made as determined by a proper interpretation of the prior art and the scope of the subjoined claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent herein as broadly as possible.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In an article of repose for supporting the body of a person and including a support and an integral seat and back unit rockably mounted on the suport and a two part leg rest constituted by a main portion and an auxiliary portion angularly movable relative to the main portion, the improvement in an interconnecting linkage mechanism for moving the leg rest between a non-operative retracted position with the main and auxiliary portions thereof being positioned beneath the seat of the seat and back unit and one of a plurality of operative extended positions and with the auxiliary portion rotating in an arc relative to the main portion as the main portion is motivated generally rectilinearly, a support bracket fixed to the support, a seat bracket fixed to the seat of the seat and back unit, a control linkage pivotally related to the forward end of the seat of the seat and back unit and including a leg rest supporting sublinkage constituted by a secondary pivot link pivoted to the seat and a secondary propeller link pivoted to the seat and a primary elevator link pivoted to said secondary pivot and secondary propeller links and a secondary elevator link pivoted to said secondary propeller link, the main portion of the leg rest being pivoted to said secondary elevator link, a first connecting link pivoted to said primary elevator link and to said secondary elevator link, a second connecting link pivoted to the auxiliary portion of the leg rest and to said first connecting link, a control link pivoted to the main portion of the leg rest and to said second connecting link and a brass link pivoted to said secondary pivot link and rotative about a pivot relative to said support bracket.

2. In an article of repose as set forth in claim 1 including a friction link disposed on said base link and fixed to said support bracket, and means for adjusting the fric- 7, tional engagement'between said friction'link and said base link.

3. In an article'of; repose as set forth in clairn'l including stop means on said seatxbracket and on said support iary portion hingedly interconnected for turningmovement relative to each other, and a control linkage mounting said leg rest on the seat and guiding said leg rest between retracted position with the rnain portion of said leg rest disposed in a; substantially vertical position beneath the seat and With the auxiliary portion of said leg rest disposed in aninverted substantially horizontal position beheath the seat and a plurality of extended positions forwardly of the seat, said control linkage constituted by a pair of spaced links with one of the spaced links of said pair thereof being pivotally connected to the main portion of said leg rest and the other of the spaced links of said pair thereof being pivotally connected to the auxiliary 25 portion of said leg rest and a control link pivotally interconnecting between the main portion of said leg rest and the oneof; the spaced links of said pair thereof pivotally connected to the auxiliary portion of said leg rest for etfectinga rotativemovement of the auxiliary portion of said leg rest, relative to the main portionof said leg rest, actuating means connecting between the seat and chassis and connected to said control linkage for actuating said control linkage to move said leg rest responsively to movement of the body supporting member with the main portionof said leg'rest being projected between the retracted position and one of a plurality of extended positions with the auxiliary portion ofjsaid leg restbeing turned in coordinated movement relativeto the main portion of said leg rest, a

References Cited by thei Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,833 3/59 Fletcher 297- 75 2,966,939 1 /61, Fletcher 297-75 2,974,720 3/61 Jelinek j 297 7s 3,001,817 9/61 Fletcher 297-75 3,058,774 10/62 'Belisle et a1. 297 s9 FOREIGN PATENTS 874,143 8/61 Gr'eat'Britain.

FRANK B, SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN AN ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON AND INCLUDING A SUPPORT AND AN INTEGRAL SEAT AND BACK UNIT ROCKABLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT AND A TWO PART LEG REST CONSTITUTED BY A MAIN PORTION AND AN AUXILIARY PORTION ANGULARLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE MAIN PORTION, THE IMPROVEMENT IN AN INTERCONNECTING LINKAGE MECHANISM FOR MOVING THE LEG REST BETWEEN A NON-OPERATIVE RETRACTED POSITION WITH THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY PORTIONS THEREOF BEING POSITIONED BENEATH THE SEAT OF THE SEAT AND BACK UNIT AND ONE OF A PLURALITY OF OPERATIVE EXTENDED POSITIONS AND WITH THE AUXILIARY PORTION ROTATING IN AN ARC RELATIVE TO THE MAIN PORTION AS THE MAIN PORTION IS MOTIVATED GENERALLY RECTILINEARLY,A SUPPORT BRACKET FIXED TO THE SUPPORT, A SEAT BRACKET FIXED TO THE SEAT OF THE SEAT AND BACK UNIT, A CONTROL LINKAGE PIVOTALLY RELATED TO THE FORWARD END OF THE SEAT OF THE SEAT AND BACK UNIT AN INCLUDING A LEG REST SUPPORTING SUBLINKAGE CONSTITUTED BY A SECONDARY PIVOT LINK PIVOTED TO THE SEAT AND A SECONDARY PROPELLER LINK PIVOTED TO THE SEAT AND A PRIMARY ELEVATOR LINK PIVOTED TO SAID SECONDARY PIVOT AND SECONDARY PROPELLER LINKS AND A SECONDARY ELEVATOR LINK PIVOTED TO SAID SECONDARY PROPELLER LINK, THE MAIN PORTION OF THE LEG REST BEING PIVOTED TO SAID SECONDARY ELEVATOR LINK, A FIRST CONNECTING LINK PIVOTED TO SAID PRIMARY ELEVATOR LINK AND TO SAID SECONDARY ELEVATOR LINK, A SECOND CONNECTING LINK PIVOTED TO THE AUXILIARY PORTION OF THE LEG REST AND TO SAID FIRST CONNECTING LINK, A CONTROL LINK PIVOTED TO THE MAIN PORTION OF THE LEG REST AND TO SAID SECOND CONNECTING LINK AND A BRASS LINK PIVOTED TO SAID SECONDARY PIVOT LINK AND ROTATIVE ABOUT A PIVOT RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT BRACKET. 